Overview
- A multicentre European trial implanted the wireless PRIMA chip in 38 people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration, with 32 completing one-year assessments across 17 sites in five countries.
- With the system activated, 80–84% of tested participants recognized letters, numbers and words, and on average read about five additional lines on a standard vision chart.
- The 2 mm by 2 mm, approximately 30-micrometre-thick photovoltaic implant sits beneath the retina and is driven by infrared patterns from camera-equipped glasses processed by a waist-worn computer offering zoom and contrast.
- Investigators reported 26 serious procedure-related adverse events in 19 patients, mostly resolving within two months, and no decline in remaining peripheral vision.
- Device owner Science Corporation has applied for European market certification, and teams are developing higher-resolution chips and grayscale software as further controlled and longer-term studies are planned.